Raccoon

SizeThis animal can range in length from 41cm to 75cm and reach weights of 3.6kg to 9kg.

Habitat and DistributionThese raccoons live in deciduous and mixed forests throughout most of North America, however due to deliberate introductions and escapes from collections these animals now also inhabit much of mainland Europe and Japan. Due to their adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits they are also now found throughout many urban areas, especially in America.

Age
Even though these animals can be expected to live for up to 20 years in captivity their wild life expectancy is on average only between 1.8 and 3.1 years.

Diet
Raccoons will feed on almost anything they can get their hands on including all plant matter including fruits and berries, insects, crustaceans, birds, eggs, small rodents and reptiles. In their urban ranges they feed much like foxes, raiding bins and even entering peoples houses to take food.

Groups and Breeding
These animals are largely solitary however related female animals may also live in small groups, which is though to partly give more security when the females have young. At the end of winter these animals mate leaving the females pregnant for around 65 days. In early to mid spring the females give birth to 2 to 5 babies called kits.

Threats
These animals are widespread throughout their range and their high numbers have left them being classed by conservation societies as least concern. However a lot of these animals are killed through hunting and through road accidents, leading to their very low wild lifespan.

Interesting facts
In the German town of Kassel there are thought to be as many as 350 raccoons per square mile in the inner city areas, which is comparable to the populations in some urban areas of its home range in North America.

Animal Facts

Opening Hours & Day Ticket Prices

We are open all year round 7 days a week apart from the Christmas period when we are closed on the 25th of December. Please note that we do not accept cheque payment on the gate (with the exception of school groups).

Children are not permitted to be in the park unattended, and will not be granted entry without an adult.

Due to having free roaming animals in our park and being covered by the EU BALAI act we do not allow dogs (including guide dogs) in to the park - Remember dogs can die in hot cars, please leave them at home.

Other Ticket Types:

Season Tickets: Pay a one-off price for unlimited entry to the park for a year!

Group rates: are available for groups containing 16 paying persons or more. Including: Brownies, Scouts, Playschemes & Affinity. Group meals can be catered for, please phone before your visit.